Combining traditional and modern medicine: A new direction in treating rectal diseases

(Chinhphu.vn) - If in the past, traditional medicine and modern medicine were likened to two parallel lines, then up to now, many diseases have treatment regimens that "take advantage" of the positive advantages of these two fields, bringing very high efficiency to patients, including diseases of the anus and rectum.

Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Doctor of Medicine Le Manh Cuong speaks at the Conference - Photo: VGP/HM

The trend of people with rectal diseases getting younger

At the 2025 national scientific conference on updating advances in diagnosis and treatment of anorectal diseases, combining modern medicine and traditional medicine, held on October 11, Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Doctor of Medicine Le Manh Cuong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine, Director of Tue Tinh Hospital, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Anorectal and Rectal Medicine, said that the rate of people with hemorrhoids in the community in our country is currently quite high, accounting for about 20-30% and is showing a tendency to get younger.

In the world , patients with these diseases also account for a high percentage, due to their relationship with daily living and eating habits. However, these are only high risk factors, currently, the main cause of these diseases is still unclear.

"In the past, patients with hemorrhoids at the age of 15 or 16 were very rare, usually patients over 35 years old. However, up to now, patients at this age, even 10 years old, have been recorded a lot. The habit of eating fast food, sitting and watching phones and iPads for a long time, lack of physical exercise... are high risk factors for the disease," Associate Professor Cuong emphasized.

Treatment of anal and rectal diseases is currently very effective, however, according to Associate Professor Le Manh Cuong, combining modern medicine with traditional medicine in treating these diseases is a new, very important treatment direction that brings many positive effects to patients, reduces costs and has few side effects.

"We must take advantage of the positive advantages of traditional medicine with modern medicine to come up with the best and most effective treatment solutions for patients. Previously, traditional medicine and modern medicine were like two parallel lines, so patients were at a disadvantage," Associate Professor Cuong said.

Overview of the conference - Photo: VGP/HM

Advantages of combining traditional and modern medical treatment

Associate Professor Le Manh Cuong cited an example, with the same patient, if according to modern medicine there is an indication for surgery, after surgery, traditional medicine can be combined for the patient immediately. Especially for people with diseases of the anus and rectum, the method of soaking in traditional medicine can bring high efficiency.

"Using traditional medicine in the post-operative period for patients is often highly safe, reasonably priced and has few side effects. However, people should absolutely not listen to what this person or that person tells them or follow advertisements on social networking sites. They need guidance from experts in anorectal diseases," Associate Professor Cuong emphasized.

In our country, diseases related to the anus and rectum are recorded in both men and women, in which pregnancy is also a leading factor causing the disease in women.

From the perspective of local professional management, the Director of Thanh Hoa Department of Health said that currently, anorectal diseases are on the rise, while the reality is that specialized human resources are still lacking and uneven among levels, and facilities in some units are also limited.

Therefore, this combination helps people have more choices of treatment methods, to increase the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, doctors and medical staff also have more knowledge exchange and enhance professional capacity through scientific research activities, while promoting international cooperation and technology transfer.

Associate Professor, Dr. Le Dinh Tung, Vice Principal of Hanoi Medical University's branch in Thanh Hoa, also said that this conference is the biggest academic event of the year in the field of anorectal surgery in Vietnam and is an opportunity to connect doctors and young researchers to form multi-center research cooperation groups, promoting the development of the field towards modernization and international integration.

Currently, the proportion of hospitals and medical facilities nationwide using traditional medicine in the treatment of anorectal diseases is quite high. Through this conference, experts also hope to build a new protocol in the diagnosis and treatment of anorectal diseases to meet the increasing needs of patients.

Thuy Ha

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/ket-hop-y-hoc-co-truyen-va-hien-dai-huong-di-moi-trong-dieu-tri-benh-ly-ve-truc-trang-102251011182535754.htm